The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-26
Was it Worth the Money!

In the report of the President of the
Jackson and Columbus Rail-
road Company, recently submitted to
the stockholders at their annual meet |
ing, may be found the following para
graph:
Nexubee county, by a very satisfac- |
tory vote of is citizens, has agreed to
subscribe 5000 900 to our stock. A sub
mission to vote of $780, 600 TO our stock
was ordered in Jackson, upon our agree
ing to build there the shops of the
western division of the road. the PEG
pie of that city, not greatly distinguish
ed for public spirit, manifested so much
opposition to the boon offered them,
that the President withdrew, as far as
he could, the proposition, and declined
to canvass for votes in its favor. In
Neshoba county proposition was sub
mitted in December, looking TO sub
scription in our aid, of 100000, we
agreeing to traverse The county diago-
nally, passing by the county seat, Phila-
delphia. The President canvassed the
county, but the result was adverse. A
new submission is to be voted on the
| 20th instant, which was made at the
earnest solicitation Of the best men in
| the county. A favorable vote is antic-
| ipated The counties of Lowndes and
Rankin, in which it is thought best 10
| locate shops, will soon be called upon to
determine what amounts they will sub
scribe 70 aid US.
The proposition submitted to the citi-
zens Of Jackson was that they should
vote subscription of 100000 in bond.
TO the capital stock of the Natchez
Jackson and Columbus Railroad Com.
pany in consideration that it would
widen the gauge of its railroad from
Jackson to the Copiah county line with
in three years; would center into a
valid contract with responsible persons
for the extension of the 70 d to Colum-
hus;" and would locate the shops of it,
Northeastern Division at this place
The bonds were to run for twenty year.
and bear seven per cent. interest. NJ
guaranty was offered to the city tina
the road would ever be extended t.
Columbus, and nothing in, the PROPOSE
ton showed what kind of shops woulC
! be located at Jackson. All that tn,
Company would have been required t.
do in order to compel the delivery o.
the bonds, was to widen the gauge o.
the railroad from Jackson to the Copiaf
county line and make "a valid contrac
with responsible persons for the exten
sion of the road to Columbus"
Gen. Martin was, it may be conceded
honest in the belief that the shops which
il was intended should be located a
Jackson would employ from $50 to 25'
men, but he would have been absolutely
without power to compel their location
or to dictate the number of employees
and if shops of the character contem
plated had been located here he would
have been without power TO keep then
here.
The widening of the gauge from Jack
son to Natchez was the only thing iii
sight" from a strictly business point o
view, and for that Jackson cared bu
little. 1t would have been of no mate
rial advantage to the town. But how
ever that may be the allowance of three
years to do work that should be done
within six months, was not calculated
to arouse much enthusiasm.
1t is understood here that if the gauge
between Jackson and Natchez were
widened, the road could be sold for q
sum that would pay all its debts except
debts to stockholders, and leave a hand
some margin, and it is, therefore, not
surprising that Jackson should hesitate
to contribute to such result.
The completion of the road to Column
bus was contingent on heavy subscrip-
tons by the counties lying along its
line, which it was not believed those
counties could make when the vote was
taken here.~
| Gen. Martin, as the President of the
Natchez, Jackson and Columbus Rail
road Company, is the last person who
should indulge in little filings at Jackson.
Kinds county is already subscriber to
the stock of his company, to the amount
of 5000 900, which would not be the
case had it not been for the friends of
the enterprise living in Jackson. Of
the 1900 900 and interest, Jackson will
have to pay at least oue-fourth, and this
is as much as the road is worth to Jack
son as long is it is run solely in the in
| tara.+ Of Natobaz